17th Sunday After Pentecost CALL TO WORSHIP P: Whether we embrace God’s call in our lives or try to avoid it, C: God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. P: Whether we are long-timers or latecomers in the life of faith, C: God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. P: Whether our lives in Christ are comfortable or bring hardship, C: God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. We praise God’s name forever and ever! CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS P: Because we do not always live our lives in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, we confess before God and one another our sins and shortcomings. In repentance, let us turn toward God’s grace and mercy. Silence is kept for reflection P: God of abundant goodness, C: we confess that we want your grace for ourselves but often wish punishment or exclusion on others. We judge the efforts and motives of others while ignoring the faults of our own. Forgive us, we pray, when we let jealousy overtake us. Forgive us, we pray, when we are petty even in the presence of your generosity. Forgive us, we pray, when we feel slighted by you. May we ask once again for your mercy? Will you help us to be more merciful toward one another? We pray in the name of Christ Jesus, by whose grace we are saved. Amen. P: People of God, hear the Good News: your sins are forgiven and you are reconciled to God. Let us therefore love one another with gratitude in our hearts and praise on our lips. C: Amen. HYMN “Take My Life, that I May Be” PRAYER OF THE DAY P: Generous God, you come to us again and again, no matter how late it is in the day or in our lives. Calling to us, gathering us in, you give us your good work to do, daily bread, and boundless grace. Increase in us a generous spirit so that we may do your work with joy alongside others whom you also love. We celebrate your salvation not only in our lives, but also in the lives of other people, even those we had not imagined would be included in the kingdom you are bringing. Align us with your ways and help us receive your gift of justice and mercy as good news. In Jesus Christ we pray. C: Amen. READING Hebrew Bible Reading: Jonah 3:10--4:11 10When God saw what [the people of Ninevah] did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it. 4:1But this was very displeasing to Jonah, and he became angry. 2He prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord! Is not this what I said while I was still in my own country? That is why I fled to Tarshish at the beginning; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and ready to relent from punishing. 3And now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.” 4And the Lord said, “Is it right for you to be angry?” 5Then Jonah went out of the city and sat down east of the city, and made a booth for himself there. He sat under it in the shade, waiting to see what would become of the city. 6The Lord God appointed a bush, and made it come up over Jonah, to give shade over his head, to save him from his discomfort; so Jonah was very happy about the bush. 7But when dawn came up the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the bush, so that it withered. 8When the sun rose, God prepared a sultry east wind, and the sun beat down on the head of Jonah so that he was faint and asked that he might die. He said, “It is better for me to die than to live.” 9But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the bush?” And he said, “Yes, angry enough to die.” 10Then the Lord said, “You are concerned about the bush, for which you did not labor and which you did not grow; it came into being in a night and perished in a night. 11And should I not be concerned about Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also many animals?” SERMON Rev. Lori E.L. Kitzing HYMN “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy” PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION P: God of unending mercy and steadfast love, we are grateful that you are slow to anger, for there is much in this world that is wrong and set against your purposes. P: Overcome our many injustices with your justice; overtake our lust for revenge with your great mercy. We pray for nations locked in hostility to be set free from old patterns and to embrace a new way of relating. We pray for people who wield economic power to take notice of those whom you notice and to have compassion for those who are vulnerable. We pray for day laborers and the unemployed and the homeless. P: Inspire us who have enough to share what we have, not in measured and resentful amounts, but gladly, abundantly, so basic needs do not go unattended. P: Gather up the first and the last, the least and the greatest, in the common work of your kingdom, until there is no more first or last at all, for all are one in your name. Help us all to see not only your grace at work in the world, but also your humor at work among us, the holy laughter that heals us and helps us see ourselves rightly. We thank you for the privilege of believing in Christ, of living in Christ, and of living for Christ. In all things, at all times, we give thanks to you, who never lets us go; through Jesus Christ our Savior. C: Amen. OFFERING PRAYER P: Whether we have much or only a little, we can share our daily bread so that all will be fed. As we have received, so now we give, in the vineyard of the Lord, our tithes and offerings. Financial gifts may be sent to the church. P: God of the harvest, we are privileged to be counted among those whom you have called, graced to have been given your work to do, blessed to receive use what already belongs to you to bring about the Kingdom of Heaven. In Christ’s name we pray. C: Amen. LORD’S PRAYER Spoken in Scottish Gaelic BENEDICTION P: May the generous grace of + Christ attend you, the astounding love of God find you, and the surprising movement of the Holy Spirit guide you, everywhere and always. C: Amen. HYMN “Canticle of the Turning” CHARGE P: Go And...Serve With Neighbors! So that you can better love and serve God and others. C: Thanks be to God. 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"God's Work, Our Hands" Sunday CALL TO WORSHIP P: We gather to worship and prepare our hearts for service in the name of the + Triune God, who calls us to live in community and inspires us to love one another. C: Amen. CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS P: As loving parents have compassion for their children, God has compassion for us. Confident in God’s love, let us confess our sins. Silence is kept for reflection P: Loving God, C: we confess that we have failed to live in harmony with our sisters and brothers. We have been self-righteous in our attitudes, closed-minded in our beliefs, and judgmental in our opinions. We have shunned those whose ways we do not understand, and we have despised those who do not endorse our convictions. Forgive our sins of discord and conceit, and heal our divisiveness and quarreling. Help us to be charitable in our regard for others that we may dwell in peace with Christ, who is Lord of all. Amen. P: Hear the Good News: the Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. In the name of Jesus Christ, + you are forgiven. C: Amen. HYMN PRAYER OF THE DAY P: God, our source and our salvation, in love you made us and by love you have redeemed us. Make your love for us bear fruit in our forgiveness of others, that in this life we may know your all-embracing compassion and in the world to come receive the everlasting joy of fellowship you share with your Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. READING Psalm 103:1-13 and Matthew 18:21-35 Psalm 103: 1-13 1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits-- 3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, 5 who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 6 The Lord works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed. 7 He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. 8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 9 He will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger for ever. 10 He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love towards those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us. 13 As a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him. Matthew 18:21-35 21 Then Peter came and said to him, ‘Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?’ 22Jesus said to him, ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. 23 ‘For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; 25and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. 26So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.” 27And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. 28But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow-slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, “Pay what you owe.” 29Then his fellow-slave fell down and pleaded with him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you.” 30But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he should pay the debt. 31When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. 32Then his lord summoned him and said to him, “You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33Should you not have had mercy on your fellow-slave, as I had mercy on you?” 34And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he should pay his entire debt. 35So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.’ HOMILY PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION P: Gathered into God’s embrace, let us lift our voices on behalf of a weary and wounded world. P: God of creation, remind us to be good stewards of your diverse and beautiful world. God, we pray, C: open our hands in love. P: God of peace, fill the hearts of those who rule, govern and lead. Give them and us compassion to guide the peoples of this world in the ways of truth, justice, equity and peace. God, we pray, C: open our hands in love. P: God of healing, be with those who yearn for your wholeness, (especially Julie, Karla, Stephanie, Cammie, Nancy, Beverly, Micala, Murlene, Donald, and Dale). Encourage all those who bear another’s burdens. Give wisdom and perseverance to all who work in health care professions. God, we pray, C: open our hands in love. P: God of service, give us strength and humility. In our service to those near and far, whose needs are visible or invisible, may we find you in the faces of our neighbors. God, we pray, C: open our hands in love. P: Everlasting God, support us in this life. As we remember those who have gone before as examples of faithful living and honor those whose faith was known only to you, inspire us to follow their example of baptismal life until we join with them in worship. God, we pray, C: open our hands in love. P: Into your hands, O God, we place all our prayers, trusting in your mercy through the Crucified and-Risen One Jesus. C: Amen. LORD’S PRAYER C: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen. BLESSING P: May God continue to bless and keep you. In the name of the Father, the Son, + and the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. HYMN CHARGE P: Go in peace. You are God’s hands at work in the world! C: Thanks be to God. 14th Sunday After Pentecost CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 26:7-8 P: Sing a song of thanksgiving. C: Declare God’s wondrous deeds. P: For the Lord dwells among the people; C: the glory of God abides with us. P: Let us worship our God. CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS Romans 12 P: Trusting in the power of God to save, let us confess our sins before God and this assembly. Silence is kept for reflection P: Holy God, C: we confess that our love for you and for others has not been genuine. We have not held fast to what is good, and we have lagged in affection for our brothers and sisters. We have not been patient in suffering, nor have we persevered in prayer. We have repaid evil for evil and have failed to live peaceably with all. Forgive us our sin, free us from fear of the power of evil, and help us trust in the power of your everlasting goodness; through Jesus Christ. Amen. P: Hear the good news: Christ has broken the power of sin and evil and has opened to us the way of eternal life. In the name of Jesus Christ, + you are forgiven. C: Amen. HYMN “Love Has Come” PRAYER OF THE DAY P: Almighty God, in the self-giving love of Christ you have revealed the path of salvation; give us courage to deny our selfish desire and bear the cross of discipleship, that we may live as those who have no fear of death and receive the joy of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. C: Amen. Epistle Reading: Romans 12:9-21 9Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. 11Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. 13Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. 14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. 17Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 18If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. SERMON Rev. Lori E.L. Kitzing HYMN “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION P: Listening God, you heard the prayers of the Israelites. Hear now these prayers, both spoken and silent: For peace where there is conflict . . . For food where there is hunger . . . For hope where there is despair . . . For health where there is sickness . . . For faith where there is fear . . . For life where there is death . . . We pray in the name of Jesus, who conquers all that would defeat us and gives us new life. C: Amen. OFFERING PRAYER Financial gifts may be sent to the church. Thank you to everyone who donated items to fill 104 backpacks with school supplies for Lutheran World Relief. P: Almighty God, receive these gifts that we offer with grateful hearts and use us for your ministry in the world, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. C: Amen. LORD’S PRAYER Liturgical Folk BENEDICTION P: The blessing of God be with you, the love of Jesus + fill you, and the power of the Holy Spirit sustain you, now and forevermore. C: Amen. HYMN “Let Streams of Living Justice” CHARGE Romans 12:9, 17, 12 One: Hold fast to what is good; repay no one evil for evil. Rejoice in hope; be patient in suffering; persevere in prayer. All: Thanks be to God. Printed by permission oneliscense.net A-717495 |
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